Capturing the delicious wickedness of Roald Dahl's writing, director De Vito fully exploits exaggeration and playful camera work to tell the tale of a gifted child who uses her super brain to outwit her neglectful parents. Offsetting the loveable Matilda against a series of horribly inflated bad characters, the film's empowering message for children will appeal to the mischevious kid in everyone.